NAKED FLAMES Episode 1

The night was chilly and dark. The storm had blew from the north of Scotland. It was terrible and how her parents had died in the war between Scotland and Britain made her feel lonely with grief. The previous nights, she had cried hoping her bed and the sheets would give her comfort but it never worked. Her younger brother and sister felt the same loss she was experiencing but never showed in public. She was sure their lives will not be the same without their parents. At eighteen she was already a woman and that was all her people believed. She knew she was going to face some hardships later own. At the moment she was grateful that her aunt, Lady Constantiv, was looking after her siblings and herself very well. She is a kind woman, she thought. Another thought came to her mind. Her aunt had told her that she had to marry Lincoln Castellani, a local genius for the sake of her siblings. She did not like the man. She was sure that her life with him would be like living in hell. Apart from all, she wanted to marry someone whom she loved. Marriage without love never worked, she was sure of it.

''Gabriela!'' her aunt called.

''I'm coming.''

She ran towards the hall where her aunt was sewing winter jerseys for Mary and Charles, her siblings. Suddenly she froze in her tracks as she heard Lincoln's voice talking to her aunt. Damn, he had come to talk about bullshit again. She didnot like the idea of him luring her with his shrewd ways. She put the thought aside and went to where her aunt was. Lincoln was standing near a pillar and his eyes locked with hers. She did not like the sardonic smile on his face and she quickly turned away from his gaze.

''Hello Gabriela.'' he said

''Oh! finally here you are.'' her aunt exclaimed.

She ignored her aunt's remark and asked, ''What is he doing here?''

''He wants to talk to you, Gabriela. And i'll leave you two to talk.''

Her aunt stood up and took her knits and wool. She couldnot belive she was leaving her alone with the damned man. She opened her mouth to protest but the words died away as Lincoln gave her an approving smile. She turned away quickly from his look and her aunt was nowhere in sight.

''How are Gabriela?'' Lincoln asked.

She jerked her head, forcing herself to look at him and never shy again. ''I'm more than fine as you can see and what are you doing here?''

''I've come to see the woman i'm going to marry.''

Gabriela couldn't believe he was really saying that. She hated his arrogance and how he seem to be so confident with everyone.

''Who told you that? I'm not going to marry you Mr Castellani.'' she said, crossing her arms on her chest.

''Lincoln....'' he corrected. ''It's of no use Gabriela. Your pride will ruin you and maybe i'm being too forward with you but i think i'm doing what is best for both of us. You need me, Gabriela.'' he moved closer to her and she quickly jerked away from him.

''Don't try to convince me with nonsense, Lincoln. I don't need you.''

''Then why don't you try me? Love will be there maybe later and it doesn't matter that much to me......''

Gabriela interrupted.''It matters to me and i won't marry you 'cause_..''

Lincoln moved closer to her and brushed away the hair which had fallen on her beautiful face.''Maybe we can use attraction and the need within our bodies. Don't you think?''

Crazy. Gabriela thought. Crazy. She tried to push Lincoln away from her but he grabbed her back in his arms their faces were only a few inches apart. She looked in his eyes and saw the a burning naked flame inside them which she couldnot understand.

'' I'll never try to force you to do something you are not ready for, Gabriela. I'm not a monster.''

''Then stop forcing me to marry you.'' she said her lips trembling.

''I'm not forcing you. I'm sure you know it's best for you and your siblings. I'll take care of them and you too. I'll not try to force some matters between us. You need me Gabriela. Remeber that time when we were in your garden.....''

In the garden?? She tried to recall what had happened and she felt a chill running down her spine. CRAZY, CRAZY, CRAZY, she thoght. This was not right. She remembered when Lincoln had hugged, the need she felt to be just near him was shocking. And the flashback made her heart beat faster and sent her skin tingling. She didn't like the feeling and she tried to pull away from him by force but he held her firmly.

''Stop trying to escape from my arms, Gabriela. And after what happened two weeks ago you need someone to lean on and comfort you. I'm here to do this 'cause i care for you and remember i'll never be here to seduce you. Never!!''

She wanted to believe him. The loss she had experienced made her not to trust anyone.

''You have to focus on the future of you and your siblings.'' Lincoln said.

He was right, she thought. I have to focus on the future. My parents are dead and they are not going to come back. She placed her hand on Lincoln's face, trying to forget about the past. She didnot like him but he had this good side of him. She pictured herself as his wife and knew everything would be okay, although se didnot love him.

''I'll try to be patient with you. I won't make it hard. Do you believe me?''

''I'm trying to,....'' Gabriela said.

''It's not that bad but i would want you to trust me that much. Okay?''

She just nodded feeling a bit better and safer in his arms.

Later on after Lincoln had left she was with her aunt sitting outside on the steps of their house. Her aunt looked at her thoughtfully.

''You seem much better and live after you talked with Lincoln. I bet it went on well..''

''Yes, it did aunt. Thanks to him i'm now able to try focusing on the future and forget about the past. It may haunt me, i know but i'll keep on trying.''

''That's really good, Gabriela. At least you are now showing your level of maturity.'' said her aunt smiling.

Gabriela nodded and she changed the subject and started talking about other things. She didnot want herself to think about Lincoln at times like this. And the feeling shocked her. Why would she have to think about a man she hated inside. This was becoming interesting, she thought.

''Go and look if Mary and Charles are doing well.''

''Okay aunt! I also have to go and prepare for supper.''

''That's right. I'll be on my way too.''

Gabriela stood up nodding as she started to walk into the house. As she stepped on the door, she stopped and looked at her aunt.

''Aunt!''

She lifted her head.''Is there anything else?''

''I'm willing to marry Lincoln Castellani....''

''What?" her aunt was astonished.

''You heard me...." she said softly and ran inside the house.

What had changed her mind, Lady Constantiv asked herself. This was some great news. She had to sent her husband word of it, she thought.